Promoted Gneeveguilla win in Desmonds

Desmonds 2-7 Gneeveguilla 2-16

AFTER their promotion from Division Three, Gneeveguilla are clearly a side on the up, and this extremely impressive victory in Castleisland really laid down a marker to all their future opponents that the East Kerry side mean business in 2020. Desmonds had the aid of the wind in the first half, but they were rocked in the sixth minute when John O’Leary scored Gneeveguilla’s first goal. Seven minutes later, the home team replied with a penalty from Thomas Hickey after DJ Murphy was adjudged to have handled the ball on the ground and, despite Hickey’s accuracy in attack, the sides were tied at half-time (1-5 each). The winners got a huge boost at the start of the second half when Con Buckley fired home a spot-kick after Padraig Doyle was fouled. With the elements in their favour, and O’Leary and Doyle in superb form, Gneeveguilla cruised to a deserved triumph, despite a goal from Desmonds full-back Brian Leonard.

Templenoe 3-13 Listry 0-10

KERRY received a welcome boost over the weekend with Adrian Spillane returning to action for Templenoe in his side’s 12- point victory over Listry. Spillane, who has been out injured since the National League clash with Dublin in late January, was introduced in the 18th minute of a first half where, even against the wind, the county intermediate kingpins retired at the break with a 1- 6 to 0- 7 lead, Stephen O’Sullivan finding the net. Despite the place- kicking accuracy of Anthony Sweeney, Marc O Se’s Listry were dealt a huge blow in the 42nd minute when centre- back John Foley was dismissed for a second yellow card. Templenoe sauntered over the finishing line with Killian Spillane ( brought on at half- time) finishing with 1- 2, and the superb O’Sullivan notching 2- 5 ( 2- 4 from play).

Na Gaeil 0-7 Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-11

JOHN Evans’ reign as Glenbeigh/ Glencar manager got off to the best possible start with this four- point victory over All- Ireland junior football champions Na Gaeil at a windy Killeen. Jerome Stack, in his first game as Na Gaeil manager, was not helped by the fact that they only started with seven of the team that played in that All- Ireland final. With wind advantage, Na Gaeil led 0- 5 to 0- 2 at the break, but that was never likely to be sufficient in the second period, where they only added two pointed frees from Dara Devine. The winners, with Gavin O’Grady shining in attack, took control of the contest, and with

Darran O’Sullivan and Tommy Cahill also making their presence felt on the scoreboard, the Mid Kerry men ground out a confidence- building win.

Ballymacelligott 1-9 Dromid Pearses 1-9

SOUTH Kerry champions Dromid Pearses got off to an exciting start with an entertaining draw in Ballymacelligott. The home team hit four early points, but a Niall O’Shea goal enabled Dromid to lead by the minimum margin at half-time. It was nip and tuck all the way through the second half as well, with nothing between the sides. Ballymac, despite a goal from sub Dara Moriarty, spurned a couple of other gilt-edged opportunities before the sides settled for a share of the spoils. Aidan Breen top scored for Ballymac with six points from frees, while Chris Farley (0-4) and O’Shea (1-2) were always to the fore for Dromid Pearses.

St Marys 4-11 Dr Crokes B 1-3

AFTER their relegation from the top flight and defeat in the South Kerry final replay, St Mary’s began their recovery mission with this comfortable victory in Cahersiveen. Jack Daly’s goal after only 15 seconds set them on their way and, even without Bryan Sheehan, they ended the opening half with a four-point advantage (1-6 to 1-2). Crokes only managed one score in the second half, a Chris Brady pointed free in the 47th minute. The home team then finished with a flourish, raising three more green flags – from brothers Denis and Daniel Daly (40 seconds apart) and substitute Niall O’Shea.

Ballydonoghue 2-7 Annascaul 2-7

THE second draw in this division Two was in Coolard where Ballydonoghue recovered from a four-point interval deficit to pick up a valuable point. The West Kerry side hit the net twice in the first half with the Hickson brothers, Eamonn and Jason, doing the business and, despite being hit with a red card for James Crean, Annascaul led by 2-3 to 1-2 at halftime. A penalty goal for the North Kerry men in the 58th minute was the key score of the second half, with Annascaul receiving a further body-blow with the sending-off of Jason Hickson. Even with 13 men, they had enough resolve to eke out a hard-earned draw.